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ZORABELLA 



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ZORABELLA 

A POETIC TRAGEDY 

IN FIVE ACTS 



BY 

C. Victor Stahl 



New York 

The Neale Publishing Company 

1915 



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Copyright, 1915, by 
The Neale Publishing Company 



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JUL 28 1915 
©CID 41543 
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DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Candaules, King-consort of Lydia. 
Gyges, Chief General of the King's Army. 
MoROZ_, Premier. 

BoGOLSA^ Lydian Prince, Brother to Zorabella, enam- 
ored of Hermogena. 

MORASHNA 1 

ry \ Generals in the King's Army. 

ZULESHA J 

Lords. 

Master of Ceremonies. 

ZoRABELLA, Quecn of Lydia. 

Hermogena, Lydian Princess, disputed Heir to King- 
dom. 

Vera, Maid to Hermogena. 

Attendants. 

Tiulk: About 800 5. C. 

Place : Sardis, Capital of Lydia, in Asia Minor. 

Scenes : Act I. — Throne room of the queen. Act II. 
— Garden of the palace. Act III., Scene I. — 
Anteroom to hall room; Scene 11. — Ball room 
of palace. Act IV. — Conference room of the 
palace. Act V. — Sleeping chamber of king. 



ZORABELLA 



ACT I 

Scene I. — Throne room of the royal palace. Gyges, 
Moros, lords, and attendants. Gyges and 
Moros in quarrel. 

Gyges. Let me not hear't again. 

Moros. Thine ears corral ; 

Thou canst not seal my lips. 
Gyges. I can thy life. 

Beware to give me cause. 
Moros. Trust not in that 

Till of thy strength thou'st made full proof. 
Gyges. Come, come ! 

Let's not to arms. — 'T will but offend the queen. 

Thou shalt repent of this. 
Moros. Not of the truth. 

Gyges. Ay there! What dost thou mean? 
Moros. Thou art a traitor. 

Gyges. [Drawing] Thou liest. 
Moros. Deny it, — if thou canst. 

Gyges. By Zeus, 

I do! 
Moros. With words alone, thou swaggerer. 

But not with deeds. 

7 



8 ZORABELLA 

Gyges. [Raising sword] Beware, if I do strike 

Moro2. Strike, strike, O cursed coward that thou art ! 

Though be thy sword of adamantine steel 

And forged in Vulcan's smithy, — if thou dar'st, 

Thou yet wilt find my sword full wrought as thine, 

And truer in its stroke. 
Gyges. ' Think'st thou to fright me? 

Come, if thou wilt. Though I do loathe the 
combat 

That should these holy walls do sacrilege, 

Yet thou constrainest me. 
Moros. 'Tis well for thee, 

Thou blusterer, thy reason's not amiss. 
Gyges. Call'st thou it cowardice, — my piety ! 

Come, come. I'll challenge thee. Here is my 
glove. 

Thine there cast down ; and on yon distant field, — 

Where anger need not fear protecting shrines. 

Where fly the trophies of my stalwart arm, — 

I'll dare thee to the proof. 

Moro2. Unworthy slave, 

Take up thy glove. Think'st thou 'tis meet that I 
Should answer thee? 

Gyges. Give me the proof. 

MoroB. Away ! 

Gyges. O Gods, to each discerning man vouchsafe 
The proof I clamor for, — the baseless charge, 
Whereof I stand accused ! 

Moros. If thou but wilt. 

Thou hast it, sir. In honor to thy rank, — 
That dost not oft such base intriguers shield, — 
I had not thought to breathe it here. 'Twill not 



ZORABELLA 9 

Add justice to thy cause, nor please thine ears 
To hear me speak. 

Gyges. Out ! Out ! Thy lying tongue 

Can thrill me naught with fear. 

Moroz. Conspirator ! 

Ten thousand Lydians hiss it at thy back, 
Who dare not charge it to thy face. Thou'lt see 
Thy colleague here, with wet and weeping eyes, — 
The loved Bogolsa, pride of Lydia's heart, — 
Who shall in tears beg pittance of his life 
Before our queen. Thou madest him rebel. 
Deny it not, for thou a traitor art, 
And here's the proof. [Producing letter^ This 

telltale missive here, — 
Chanced on by slaves upon the battlefield. 
Writ to Bogolsa and his treacherous band, — 
Like cannon's charge, — that knells base traitors' 

doom, — 
Roars out thy guilt. 

Gyges. Who dares my name enlist 

In such foul forgery? Give me that here. 
[They begin wrestling for the letter] 

Lords. Peace, peace ! Here comes the queen. 

Moroz. Say, are ye sure? 

Then I shall make an issue of this cause. 
Her word is Lydia's law. 

Gyges. Thou art a fool, 

She shall not hear thee, sir. 

Moroz. But thee she shall, — 

She'll hear thy plea. 

Gyges. Be not of that assured ; 

Since this my sword shall saw thy slanderous 
tongue 



10 • ZORABELLA 

That dares to give such falsehoods breath. Come, 

come ! 
To arms! [Drawing] 
Moroz. [Defending himself] Stand there, thou 
braggart, stand, stand, stand ! 

[Enter Zorahella, Candaiiles, Morashna, Zidesha, 
Hermogena, and attendants] 

Zorahella. Stop! Stop, I say! What is the matter 
here, 
That swords are drawn and poignards, dagger- 
edged ? 
What vagrant planet's out ? What lunar phase 
Our throne inebriates? [To Gyges] On thy 
oath, speak ! 

Gyges. He hath abused me, gentle queen. 

Candaulcs. [To one of the lords] See'st that? 

She fronts him first. In him she plants a trust, 
I fear, exceeding mine. It matters not, — 
He is a worthy general. 

Lord. [Aside] Take't not so ! 

If I were thou, my liege, I should then give 
To seeming trifles more than trifling care. 

Zorahella. [To Gyges] What hath he said? 

Moroz. Nothing, my gentle queen. 

That were not true. 

Gyges. Be still ! 

Zorahella. [Waving sceptre] Yea, peace! [To 
Gyges] Speak on ! 

Gyges. He falsely cried at me, "Conspirator!" 
Yet, on my plea demanding proof, did load 
Such heap of shameful charges on my back 



ZORABELLA 11 

That Atlas had not borne. To 'quit myself, 
Then did I draw the sword which now thou see'st, 
And, in reply, he drew. I grieve the fray. 
Zorahella. Thou needest not. If these thy words be 
true, 
Thou shouldst be knighted. To defend one's life 
Is well, but nobler 't is to keep one's name 
From every slanderous rival's rash assault. 
Moroz. O my dear Majesty, attend my cause! 

Why, here's the proof. [Giving her the letter] 
Gyges. Beware ! 'Tis forgery ! 

Zorahella. Is this thy hand ? [Reading] 'T is not. 
No hand of thine 
Had ever moulded this from such a heart 
As I do know of thee. Besides, the hand [Pe- 
rusing it carefully] 
Runs not at all like thine — 
Candaules. Be thou but sure. 

If thou wouldst make thy judgment good. 
Moroz. [To king] Unheard! 

A waste of time it were to press the plaint. 
Zorahella. [Tearing letter] Come, come, a private 
matter 't is, I fear. 
That's stol'n the stamp of state. Come now, I 

say. 
Your brawl dissolve, whose oft recurring blows 
Have twanged on Lydia's peace. Go hence, ye 

guards, 
And bring Bogolsa here. [Zorahella and Can- 
daules ascend throne] 

[Enter Bogolsa, who is led in, hound in chains] 
Candaules. There now he comes. 



13 ZORABELLA 

sundered Lydia ! Rent is thy law ! 

How groans it now 'neath treason's ulcerous 
wounds ! 

Zorahella. Am I the surgeon, king ? Thou mak'st me 

grieve 
To point my duty. Know'st thou not my love? 
Oh, what a bitter task it is, my lord. 
To loose the words that justice bids me hurl 
'Gainst him within whose veins doth course my 

blood! 

Alas! 
My boy ! that never were I Lydia's queen, 
Or that thou hadst not done't ! What canst thou 

say 
To mitigate thy dread offense? 

Bogolsa. Nothing. 

1 ask but pity, queen. Beguiled was I : 
Proud, vain, and fawning hopes my soul de- 
ceived. 

Youth's ambient zeal did swell my throbbing veins, 
My heart did leap from earth to heav'n, and 

sought 
To compass all between. The very skies 
Did with their transient glory hail me king, — 
As I did read their smiling indices, 
Bade me meet fate, strive hand in hand with 

death, — 
To vex me with deceit. Oh, how ripe age 
Usurps mine erring youth I Ye gods, attest : 
This puffed exuberant youth I now cast off, 
And thou smit'st age. Mine errant ways forgive, 
And if thou e'er didst rock me on thy knee, 
And softly hum to me sweet lullabies, — 



ZORABELLA 13 

My dreamland flights with tender kisses sealed, — 

If ever these, and more than these, thou didst 

As thou o'er me a mother's care didst keep, 

Then, by the Zeus that ruleth heaven's high 
throne. 

Not fruitless is my plea! Thy sympathy 

From out the deep abyss of time call forth. 

And speak me pardoned, free. 
Zorahella. Brother, alas ! 

What must I do ? — Alas ! 
Bogolsa. Do as thou wilt. 

If thou art firm, if thus thy mind is fixed, 

'Tis not my plea that I have not deserved — 

I stand prepared. 
Zorahella. Dost thou defiance speak? 

Think'st thou that this mine act were tyranny, 

Were I to read thy doom ? 
Bogolsa. My doom is fixed ! 

Hold off thy tongue no longer, queen. 'Tis done ! 

Thou hast bereft me of my father's wealth 

And now thou seek'st my life. 
Zorahella. 'Fore heaven, — thou liest! 

Bogolsa. I do not. Come, — here am I, come, — do thy 
worst. 

Thou shalt not see a timorous coward die — 
Zorahella. Then 'tis thy will, — thou vauntest it, — 
to feel 

The hand that thou hast cursed. Go headsman, 
go! 

Within this very hour, — yea, make me hear 

His traitorous head is stricken off. 

[Guards rush up and seize Bogolsa] 
Bogolsa. Alas ! 



14 ZORABELLA 

Dear queen, — if sister no, — forgive the words 
My rampant tongue did wield. The heart ne'er 

spoke. 
Cursed be the Hps that freed them. Canst not 

o'erlook 
These unmeant mutterings? 

Zorahella. [To guards] Bear him from hence. 

Hcrmogena. [Falling on her knees] O queen, let 
not thine anger sway thy heart 
To deeds of cruelty. On knees I beg 
That thou thy judgment mayst revoke. 'T is true 
He hath transgressed; but penitent he stands, 
His sorrow pleading pity's alms. 

Zorabella. Away ! 

Dost thou thus seek, — which none has ever 
dared, — 

My royal will to sway ? 
Hermogcna. It is but love, — 

Pure love, — that makes me plead his cause. Alas ! 

Mine honored queen, must he so basely die 

For one small fault of youth ? And he's thy kin ! 

Then, know thou well, my queen, if thou but 
stick'st 

To this so firm resolve, then here I lay 

My life, my hopes, my fortunes at thy feet, 

And beg the stroke that cleaves his tender brow 

To end my pitying passion too. 
Zorabella. Plead not! 

Or, — by the power that made me Lydia's queen ! — 

It shall be done. 
Hermogena. But hear, my queen, — oh, hear ! 

He hath been led. His guilt is not alone. 



ZORABELLA 15 

Zorahella. Mine ears are stopped. By this thou art 
attaint 
With treason's curse. For this most heinous 

crime 
I do subtract from thee all lands and tithes 
That thou here hold'st. 

Candaides. O queen, what hast thou done? 

Thou hast once loved, — hast fanned love's zeal- 
ous spark, 
Hast blown it to a flame. Our nuptial night 
So blazed that ardor in thy roseate cheeks 
It did each torch outshine. Dost thou construe 
This, treason to the state, to love, — but love ? 
Fie! Mockery! Reverse thy judgment, queen. 
Or thou shalt lay an evil precedent, 
Whereby the guileless lover may be charged 
With all her gallant's reckless deeds. 

Gyges. [To Zorahella] Say on! 

Thine is the sceptre and the judgment, queen. 
What thou declar'st is law in Lydia. 
See how thine amorous spouse subverts the law, 
For but bright eyes, and ruddy lips and hair? 

Zorahella. [To Gyges] Why, thou speak'st well. [To 
Candaides] Thou hollow-hearted man, 
Art thou not pleased at this? Thy love should 

give 
A second to my judgment, not it dispute. 
But no, thou from her glancing oeillades read'st 
A cue to thwart my just design. O gods! — 
Be these a woman's charms? 

Candaules. Come, — answer me. 

What wilt thou do? 

Zorahella. Nothing that will thee please, — 



16 ZORABELLA 

I can assure thee that. 

Candaules. That's no reply. 

Zorabella. Then none shalt thou receive. If thou 
hadst ears, 
Thou couldst have heard my judgment. 

Candaules. So? Then see 

That thou err'st not. 

Zorabella. [Looking at Bogolsa] Brother, — alas! — 
alas! 
Forsaken is thy cause; none pleads for thee, 
Though thou hast most at stake. I'll do it then. 
I'll turn through yellowed leaves of bygone days 
That chronicle of traitors' deeds, and, on 
A single precedent to prop my will. 
Thou shalt gain pardon. 

Bogolsa. Oh, mayst thou succeed ! 

I shall be penitent. 

Zorabella. What valor here ! 

Oh, that thy guilt were all so soon forgot 

As are the deeds thou hast 'gainst Lydia 

wrought, — 
Or that 't were weighed 'gainst thy repentance 

now! 
Thou almost wringest from my soul perforce 
What pardon Lydia's statutes bid me nay. 
Howe'er, a brief respite I'll grant to thee, 
That meanwhile I may meditate upon 
Some way to exercise my clemency. 

[Exeunt Candaules, Moroz, Morashna, Zulesha, Her- 
mogena, lords, and attendants, Bogolsa taken 
out by guards. Zorabella, starting out, is 
detained by Gyges] 



ZORABELLA 17 

Gyges. Thou hast thy lord offended. 
Zorahella. Say not so. 

Himself he doth offend, — begrimes his soul 
The deep sea's depth, — when he doth stoop so 

low 
As fall a prey to that dame's flattery. 
Gyges. I hardly think't. Though he for her did 
plead 
'Gainst thine opposing will. 'T was nature's 

fault,— 
The heart ne'er sanctioned it. 
Zorahella. Then he's most false, 

If with his lips he doth belie his heart, — 
A spy that tears his country's vitals out 
And jeers at them. His nature is too grave 
To humor such a feint. Now what think'st thou ? 
Thou art an honest man. Tell me thy thought. 
Gyges. Well, thou hast eyes. Why needst thou to 
inquire? 
Didst not see all ? How could I aid thee, queen, 
If thou, perceiving, sawst not, — didst attend. 
Yet heardest not? For naught, thou know'st, 

was hidd'n 
From eye nor ear. 

Zorahella. Leave off thy riddle, sir. 

Or solve it now. The sphinx ne'er shook her head 

More strange than thou. By this, my sceptered 
hand, 

I bid thee speak. 
Gyges. Thou canst not wring me so. 

I see my presence doth embarrass thee, 

Which my prompt leave shall cure. 
Zorahella. Oh, stay, my lord, 



18 ZORABELLA 

And tell me more. Why fret my doubting heart 
With bold suggestion mere ? Make me to know — 
To know't — 

Gyges. Time shall ; and others fitter are 
To list their service in such serious toil 
As traffic in a woman's jealousy. 

Zorabella. Fear not. I'll pay thee well. 

Gyges. I thank thee, queen. 

'Tis not that I seek gain, nor hope for meed. 
That I unfold this thing. But virtue rules, 
Nor wants foul scandal roused in Lydia's realm, — 
'Bove all, when it doth gnaw our kingdom's 

head, — 
That thy dull ears should not be partner to. 

Zorabella. What? Speak'st of scandal, lord? 

Gyges. Dost thou not know 

How their love hath been bruited in the court? 
Hast thou not heard him oft admire, my queen. 
Her beauteous charm? Didst thou thyself not 

see 
With what a sympathetic eye he looked on her, — 
Love's very sign? 

Zorabella. O faithless man! O brute! 

Gyges. Wouldst thou the truth? 

Zorabella. Each jot thou know'st, my lord. 

Gyges. If that be so, then let us now withdraw. 
Rejoin me promptly at the northmost gate, 
Whence I shall lead thee to the arborage. 
There, from a chance eavesdropping, did I glean 
They would most shortly meet again. Till then, 
Say naught, swear naught, breathe naught. Leave 

all to me. 
And I shall give to thee such certitude 



ZORABELLA 19 

As all the world would take for proof. Adieu! 
[Exit Gyges] 
Zorabella. Oh, let me rub my blinded eyes! Off,— 
off, 
Thou veil of unsuspecting innocence! 
Can it be true? But for this trusty lord, 
I had been happy in a pander's bed, 
Not knowing otherwise. O heartsick queen, 
How thou didst love him! Yea! Not all the 

wealth 
That Persia's greatness pours in Lydia's lap, 
Nor Arab silks, nor India's priceless gems. 
Nor thrice the power that Lydia's sceptre lends 
Can give thee pleasure now. Oh, sin of sins ! 
If but his guilt did lie in lack of thrift 
Or drunkenness, or bold irreverence, — 
Or any sin the gods do load on men, — 
So, by the heavens, it were not this ! Hist ! Hist ! 
Ah, there he comes. Brute ! fiend ! I hate him ! So ! 

[While she soliloquizes, Candaules passes, hut Zora- 
bella keeps in hiding] 

With Hermogene comes he to keep his hour. 
Oh, could I stop him! Now the time draws 

nigh. 
Alack ! that I must go, and let him stride 
Unnoticed on. Oh, oh, — my heart! [Exit] 

[Enter Candaules] 

Candaules. Alas ! 

That this so goodly proffered courtesy 



20 ZORABELLA 

To one no dearer than the humblest slave, 
Whose misplanned deeds have wrought sore 

chastisement, 
Should fly the queen in such a rage. My heart 
Was touched, and, out of naught but sympathy. 
Did I to thwart her galling vengeance dare. 
But, as time heals and cools all civil jars. 
So shall I stay mine intercession now 
And scant my presence in her company. 
In hope that she in lonesome pondering, 
Reviewing this o'erhasty act, may rue 't. 
And, as with blinded passion she did judge. 
With so great sofrow will she right her wrong. 
In this affair my general may serve. 
Ah, there he comes ! 

[Enter Gyges] 

How now, — how fares the queen? 
Gyges. Mad as the storm; the sea is not less sure. 
'Most hourly doth she fret and rave, and puts 
Such foolish missions on her retinue 
Their errands do eclipse. 
Candaules. She likes thee well. 

Thou mayst advise her. But lend to me thy 

word, — 
Thou hast my sceptre and my will. [Restlessly 
moves azvay] 
Gyges. That power 

I'll use most carefully. I hope, my liege, 

I soon may bring good news. What, — go'st thou 

now? 
It needs must be an urgent matter, king, 



ZORABELLA 21 

That makes thee leave good friends so soon. 

Wherefore ? 
Appointment, — is it not? 

Candaules. With Hermogene — 

Gyges. Ah? So I thought. 

Candaules. Within the arborage 

To talk the day's sad chancings o'er. Poor soul ! 
I pity her. Would I could lend her aid, 
And ease her aching heart! 

Gyges. Why couldst thou not? 

Thou couldst do much for her. 

Candaules. Such is my hope. 

Her deepest crime is but her boundless love! 
Do thou assuage the queen, and ply her well 
The soon'st good hour to list this virtuous cause ; — 
And mayst thou prosper well. Adieu, my lord! 
[Exit] 

Gyges. Oh, what a heaved ambition strikes my soul! 
Oh, but to vault to mine imperious aim 
I care not what I do ! I would be mild, 
Did it but profit me ! But I must not, 
If I myself do love. Soon must the hatch, 
Which I have set, its horrid brood disclose. 
Suspicion, rat-like, gnaws the queen's proud soul, 
Wherein the fair, untitled Hermogene 
Shall serve me well. What of those dazzling 

charms, — 
Now kindling fresh the queen's deep jealousy, — 
When they, forsooth, have won Candaules o'er, 
And made him plead her cause? E'en now the 

queen, — 
By my most timed remarks thereto impelled, — 
Sees horrid lust in our king's just intent, 



22 ZORABELLA 

Which was as pure as Dian's chastity. 
Now add to this Bogolsa's chastisement — 
Too much he knows of my crown-seeking aim — 
'T were but an act of state, should our great king, 
In heu of her most unapproved delay, 
Give warrant to his death. A trifling thing, — 
But great enough to flaunt it to the queen 
That thus he plucked a rival to his love 
By craft of state. Yea, she shall harp thereat. 
And from the shadow of his corpse shall rise 
A passion that shall minister to mine. 
Yea, she shall slay ; and when she thus is free, 
Then she is mine ! Hist ! Hist ! They now con- 
fer. 
There shall I lead the queen, that this false sign 
Shall ope her eyes and fan her smouldering wrath 
Unto its sheer apex. [Exit] 



ACT II 

Scene 1. — Garden of the Palace. 

[Enter Gyges and Zorabella] 
Gyges. [To Zorabella'] Come hither, queen. 
A grove of palms is their gay trysting place, 
Adorned with clustering grasses, sweet and wild; 
The shrill-voiced lark and merry mocking-bird 
There amorous ditties sing unto their love, 
And panderous nature seems on them to shower 
What rights to holy wedlock are denied. 
All nature joins to swell the luscious sweets. 
That them forbidd'n wax sweeter, sweeter still. 
Now is the hour. Arise, and come with me. 
I shall that too perplexing riddle loose 
That thou didst chide me for, and prove to thee 
That never truth to fiction stranger was 
Than this to thy belief. What then thou dost, 
I'd wager not to answer, 'less it be 
That thou art falser than the Trojan Helen, 
And hast no pleasure in his love. 
Zorabella. No more ! 

At once I'll go. 
[They move forzvard tozvard a grove of palms, re- 
maining at a distance. Within sit Candaules 
and Hermogena, whose conversation is heard 
by audience, but not by Gyges and Zora- 
bella] 

23 



24 ZORABELLA 

Hermogena. [To Candaules] I dwell not on mine 
ills, 
But plead for him. That I am dispossessed 
To me is naught, but thus of him bereft 
Is more than life. 

Candaules. Thou art a lover true. 

Oh, that the world did teem with such as thou! 

Hermogena. May thus I ever prove. Take this my 
life. 
If e'er to him I do disloyal prove. 

Gyges. [To Zorabella] Aha! Aha! Look there! 

Zorahelta. False mockery ! 

Gyges. Art thou convinced? 

Zorabella. Gyges, — thou art my friend. 

Come, draw me closer on. I'd sound their speech. 
O brutish man ! O fiend of fiends ! So to use 
A woman's love ! [Starts forzvard in rage] 

Gyges. Be calm, my noble queen. 

If such mere seeming starts thy jealous rage, — 
Which should not e'en be in the budding now, — 
How couldst thou brook the proof? A rash ap- 
proach 
Our close espial to them would quite reveal 
And shrivel up our cause. Besides, he might 
Be armed, and desperate in his sudden snare, — 
Like bandits, who their interceptors slay, — 
Assail us with his sword. 

Zorabella. Then let him strike! 

Know thou I bear a goodly weapon here, [Draw- 
ing sword] 
Whose yet untarnished brightness ne'er drank 
blood 



ZORABELLA 25 

In this arm's action, — so stands the more prepared 
The keener wound to make. But should I fail, — 
And his dull sword should pierce my breast, — 

know this : 
That 't would be but a wished addition, lord, 
To these the strokes he gives me now. Lead on ! 

Gyges. Have care, my queen. Leave me to pilot 
thee 
O'er this unfathomed sea. Thou like the ship 
Must docile be and subject to command, 
If thou wouldst breast the wave. If thou couldst 

know, — 
What for thine ease thou oughtest not, but yet 
What to thine ears is due, — what sighs are spent 
By thy most cruel, unfaithed, incestuous spouse. 
What longing hopes, what foolish, lingering tears. 
What assignations, and what deeds of shame, — 
Orestes' hands would not more bloody be 
Than thine in thy revenge. 

Zorahella. Oh, tell me now, 

That I may fill mine office. Come, sweet revenge, 
Be ever mine ! 

Gyges. Be not impatient, queen, 

They'll tell themselves. Let us steal closer now, 
Yet be unseen. Look there! 
[Hcrmogena imploringly grasps Candaulcs' hand] 

Zorahella. O heavens ! — earth ! 

O base hypocrisy! What smites the heart 
More keen than this? False man, who once so 

faithed 
Eternal troth at God's high altar swore! 
Is't come to this? 

Gyges. Thyself control. But list ! 



26 ZORABELLA 

Candaulcs. [To Hermogena] Alas, for him there is 
no hope! But thou, — 
Thou needest not despair. I know thou art 
Most innocent. Most promptly shall I urge 
The queen to heed thy cause. 

Hermogena. Thou'rt kind, O king, 

To hear my sad belated words. Much thanks! 
So short my merits to thine honors fall 
That I do shame to beg. Forgive these tears, — 
Like friends upon the dying beggar's hour, 
They come to ease me in my bitter grief 
And truly do me service. 

[Zorabella and Gyges approach zmthin hearing dis- 
tance] 

Here, take this ring, 
Whose hallowed charms, by my dear mother 

blessed, 
Do bring what fortune that the wearer asks, 
No matter what his will. 

Candaules. [Taking ring] Rest thou at ease. 
I'll gladly take it, gentle Hermogene, 
And, in exchange, thee sweet assurance give 
Of future remedy. 

Zorabella. [Aside] ''Thee sweet assurance," sir, 
''Of future remedy!" I'll blast thy game. 
What remedy can make thy passion well 
But to pluck out the thorn that chokes its growth. 
As I do thwart thy love? Oho! Oho! 
Ere Hecates' bat hath sought her hollow bog 
Within the dusky wood this plot I'll mar, 
If I have woman's strength. The heavens fore- 
fend! 
Let none foul portion against mine anger stir, 



ZORABELLA 27 

Lest it may gripe its own concocter's breast! 
Gyges. Thou'rt moved, my queen. 
Zorahella. Nay, braved, my lord. 

Gyges. Beware I 

Perhaps with groundless rage thou rack'st thy 

soul 
At words misstrued, wherein thyself thou 

wrong'st. 
All may be well. 
Zorahella. Teach me so to believe, — 

If't be thou canst. Oh, that thou couldst ! But 
nay — • 
Gyges. Judge for thyself. For me, I do not like 
That stroke of hand. [Points to Hermogena, who 
extends hand to Candaiiles, as in parting} It 
may be courtesy. 
Zorahella. Say'st ''courtesy"? \Vliat dost thou think, 

my lord? 
Gyges. Should I express my thoughts? 
Zorahella. Thou must, I say. 

By my divinity, no man should think 
Such evil thoughts that were too foul to speak ! 
The very sign of lust and shame it is 
To stroke the hand, — so, — so ! Base wanton, — 

she! 
All strumpets do upon their lovers fall, 
Make mJmic faces at their cares, and smile. 
And with soft perfumed lips and candied tongues 
Profess to them the faith they cannot give ; 
Cast all their virtues at those sodden feet 
For but their life's most vile necessities ; 
Where good wives do command. He fawned 
on me, 



38 ZORABELLA 

When he my love did woo, but I ne'er gave 
Him book, nor charm, nor ring, nor anything. 

Gyges. Ah ! there's thy fault, my queen. Dost thou 
not know 
What trivial things do bind a husband's love, — 
A tie of gaudy hue, a lobster stew ? 
And, in their absence, love is easily lost. 
Within the gap of thine affection's lack 
Doth she, I fear, with shows of love, leap in, 
And, where thou losest, win. 

Zorahella. Dost thou think so ? 

Gyges. Is't not attested here? 

Zorahella. Ye heavenly powers ! 

Let me not e'er my true self wantonize 
To stoop as wantons do, e'en though I lose 
Each drop of Candaules' love. 

Gyges. Look, look! They rise. 

Zorahella. Oh, halt them then ! By heavens ! let me 
away! [Advances, tearing her hrooch from 
her hosom] 
This brilliant here, set with bright pearly gems, 
Whose lustre once all Ethiop outshone, 
Grows dark as Pluto's brow, when I do think 
How black the heart that gave't. False fiend, 'tis 

thine ! 
Take back thy proffered love! [Prepares to 
throw it at Candaules] 

Gyges. [Restraining her] Do not! Hold! List! 

Candaules. [To Hermogena] Now let this our 
zealous parting e'en be this. 
To swear a silence still as midnight air. 
And breathe to none our parley here. 'Tis not 
That we do wrong, — nay, nay ! — but rather seek 



ZORABELLA 29 

To halt what might on gossip's tongue be borne 
To unforgiving ears. Thy servant I, — 
And thou canst count me thus. 
Hermogena. [Seeing Zorabella approaching] Oh, 
let me fly! 
The queen! 

Candaules. No, stay ! 

[Exit Hermogena, running. Exit Gyges in opposite 

direction] 
Zorabella. [Throwing brooch at Candaules' feet] 
There, there! Thou base ingrate! 

Thou fiend of falsity! Take back thy gem, — 

Envenomed be thy gifts ! 
Candaules. Let me explain ! 

O jealousy! 
Zorabella. Away, O love, away! 

Avaunt, for thee, thou brute, and tell me nothing ! 

Think'st thou a woman's heart be made of steel 

And would not stir at this? Go, seek her now! 

Here with my royal rites I'll bind thy love, — 

If so thy pleasure be, — but as for me, 

Henceforth be we divorced ! 
Candaules. O cruel ! But leave, — 

Oh, leave to speak ! 
Zorabella. Away ! And quit my sight ! 

Thou base adulterer, thou faithless fiend, — 

Thou barterer of tender women's hearts ! 

Too long hast thou o'er secret dalliance thrown 

A cloak of piety. List to me now: 

Ere this, my love did wind me to thy vows, 

Made me take all thy pledges for true faith, 

But I'll ne'er trust thee more. 
Candaules. There was no wrong! 



30 ZORABELLA 

Name me the deed to prove my loyalty ! 

Zorahella. Thou baser fiend ! Stoop not to perjury! 
Thy hope doth in confession cling. Add'st thou 
The lie to this foul crime of thine? Oh, shame, 
That thou art so bemonstered ! Why blush, 
Unless, in truth, thou wert in dalliance here 
With this lewd thing of earth? Why hath she 

fled. 
If free from wrong? How soon a guilty mind 
Doth haste repentance into deeds ! 

Candaules. Alas ! 

I'll call her back. Hear her then speak of this! 
Bid her return. 

Zorahella. Bid her ? Waste not thy breath ! 

Let me not see her face again. 

Candaules. Ye gods ! 

What jealousy! What cure! Her lands and 

tithes 
Doth she but beg restored — 

Zorahella. Humph ! Wants she those ? 

Let her ask me. And then, — I'd spare her toil, — 
Tell her, though she should plead in thunder tones 
And wake the corpses from their sepulchres, 
That I would still be deaf. 

Candaules. Oh, thou art cruel! 

She did not err. Show me the calendar 
That brands her with crime. Is it so foul? 
She is no felon. 

Zorahella. That's no question now. 

Thou'dst have me dash a triumph to the love 
That thou for her dost hold, — by heavens, I'll 

not!— 
To please thy guile. Let her beware this hand. 



ZORABELLA 31 

That smiling siren, — she, — I'd pluck her eyes 
And piecemeal them ; from them I'd take all power 
To dazzle and allure. Were she but blind, — 
Were she of both those roguish orbits stripped, — 
Wouldst thou for her still plead ? 

Candaules. She hath been harmed — 

Zorahella. Nay, nay; thou hast been turned. Yea, 
by this sceptre, 
Dost thou confess thy guilt? [Pointing to brooch 
on ground] 

Take up thy gem! 
With this thy baseness be it quite alloyed 
And nevermore a thing of mine! Nay, — nay! 
Here from my crown this glittering opal take, 
Let its rays fade with thine ingratitude ! 
For my great love, what small return, alas! 
A kingdom was the dower for thy love, 
Rich robes of majesty, tithes, honors, all, — 
Gave I ; — but thou aloof thy love dost hold, — 
Our nuptial pact's most sole considerant, — 
And shrug'st thy shoulders at my loyalty. 

Candaules. Alas, dear queen, most falsely miscon- 
strued 
Is my frank sympathy, 

Zorahella. Ha ! Sympathy ? 

A new-coined word for love. A scholar thou. 
Green and unskilled in all the ways of crime. 
Yet master in excuse. 

Candaules. Yea, mock. 

But show the means to prove my perfect love, 
And though it be to wade the fires of hell 
And battle with grim, snarling Cerberus, 
Or other demons on that Stygian shore, — 



32 ZORABELLA 

Say but the word, and I shall grip my steel 
To honor thy command. 

Zorahella. Away ! No words ! 

Away with vaunting boast ! Thy words are faint 
When deeds should speak. Come, I am weak in 

heart, 
And cannot more endure. Think of these charms 
That once thou'dst smile to look upon. Fie ! Fie ! 
Are they grown stale? Dost thou not love me 

more, — 
Nor see the anguish of my suffering soul? 
Ah, wilt thou longer bruise mine aching heart 
With thy brute mockery ? 

Candaules. I must say naught. 

There's known no word mine innocence to speak 
But thou wouldst name it false. I must say 

naught, — 
Bid thee adieu. [Starting to go] 

Zorahella. Oh, if thou purpose'st so ; 

To leave me live a life of endless torture, 
Let me not wear't upon the rack so long. 
But end it now. Let me love's martyr be ! 
Come, — take this sword and with its burnished 
point [Handing to him her unsheathed 
sword] 
Transfix mine unbared breast. 

Candaules. Put up thy sword ! 

Thy passion is thy slave. I should be sworn 
If someone had not told thee aught. Be calm, 
And thou'lt have pledged assurance of my faith, — 
That I've not fouled mine honest soul with crimes 
That thou hast charged me with, 

Zorahella. Thou hast a ring. 



ZORABELLA 33 

Candaides. [Excitedly] A ring? What ring? 
[Zorabella searches for ring given by Hermogena and 

finds it in Candaules' pocket] 
Zorabella. Ha ! ha ! Art honest now ? 

Am I a fool ? Away ! Tell me no more ! 

Ye chaste and twinkling stars, — earth, sky, and 
sea! 

Bear witness to this awful tragedy ! 

y.t elements, oh, hlast the nuptial bond, — 

Engulf all vows! Let your foul curses smite 

All who in holy semblance have connived 

Such shallow bonds to join! Henceforth live all 

Pure lives of continence. 
Candaules. Ye gods, attest 

That I this marriage vow have ne'er profaned! 

On bended knee — 
Zorabella. O heavens, stop up your ears 

To this most impious He ! Past, — past belief ! 

O fiend of love, — thy name be henceforth hate. 

For, viperous is thy breath ! Away ! away ! 
[Exit Zorabella in Ht of passion] 

[Enter Gyges] 

Gyges. [Pretending to discover Candaules, who is 

zveeping] Why, what ails thee? 
Candaules. The queen! 

Gyges. What — quarreling ? 

Pshaw, — wedding bells ! When you are one year 

wed, 
You shall not heed such trifling things. I own 
Small learning in the matter, yet I hear 
Tis but a sauce for lovers' appetites. 



34 ZORABELLA 

Candaules. But this is pain. Thou canst not gauge 
my grief 
As thou wouldst drip out water. 'Tis the depth, — 
A weighty depth, — that thou thyself must feel 
If thou wouldst know. 
Gyges. Give me the pulse thereof. 

Candaules. 'Tis jealousy. She fancies me untrue. 
Gyges. What, — jealousy? That's but a time-worn 
tale. 
Since earth began were husbands thereby 

thralled ;— 
But what's a woman's rage? If rise it must, 
Why let it fret and fume at will. 'T is naught. 
'T is like the gas that feeds the miner's flame, 
And doth itself consume. Art thou a coward lion, 
And tremblest at the lamb? 
Candaules. [Restraining a smile] Name't not my 
fear, 
But name it love. I would not lose her love. 
Since love to me is life, and life is love. 
Gyges. Aha! Then that's thy will? Well, then 
there's hope. 
And I shall find thee smiling yet. Why tak'st 
Such flights as these for truth? Dost thou yet 

know 
None but jealous love? Yea; 't is but proof 
Of their firm constancy. They are but drabs 
Who are not so. 
Candaules. I do believe thou'rt right. 

But yet there's more. Some poison's in her 

mind, — 
She hath been gossiped to. 
Gyges. Nay. That's a task 



ZORABELLA 35 

That none would dare to do. 
Candaules. There be such men, — 

I am assured. 
Gyges. Ne'er met I them. 

Candaules. True friend! 

I should be pleased to plant a trust in thee. 

I'll make thy pains deserved. 
Gyges. To thee fore'er 

Let me be confidant! 
Candaules. Then help me solve 

What curious riddles Lydia thrusts on us. 

Now first of all,— the brave Bogolsa fell. 

The queen chastised, — 'twas well. But then, — 
alas ! — 

How much unjustly was this princess judged 

That she did love him! To her I am sworn 

To beg the queen to reinstate her here. 

But, oh ! my just intent is quite mistook, 

And what a breach doth strain our love ! O me ! 

In thee alone I trust. Come, counsel me 

What's to be done, — how may the adverse limbs 

Of this great kingdom's trunk be knit anew? 

Else cracks the stem unto the very base. 

With all in ruin plunged. 
Gyges. Win her again. 

Candaules. Why, there thou speak'st, my lord ! And 
that's the task 

Where thou shalt proxy me. Assuage her wrath 

And cure her jealousy; then what thou ask'st 

Is thine. Speak for my cause, and when she's 
won. 

Wind me to her. 
Gyges. I gladly take the task. 



36 ZORABELLA 

Candaules. [Going] I thank thee, lord. Mine hon- 
est friend, adieu ! 
Fair fortune crown thy toil! [Exit Candaules] 
Gyges. What a fool were I 

To quench so soon the wrath that I have stirred 
But to my purpose sure! More gladly not, — 
But look, who comes? 

[Enter Zulesha] 
Zulesha. Health be to thee, my lord! 

The army waits thee now. But, oh, — what's here ? 
[His eye falls on brooch, left in anger by Zorabella 
and Candaules] 
Oh, what a lustrous gem! 
Gyges. [Meditating and aside] O thrice blessed 
brooch, — 
Abettor to my plot ! 
[With feigned surprise, Gyges lays hand on Zulesha' s 
shoulder] 

Hist ! Hast not seen, — 
Bethink thee right, — this glittering starlight deck 
Our princess' breast? Doth not your memory 
Thus second mine? 
Zulesha. Why dost thou ask, my lord ? 

Gyges. Lost goods should be restored. 'T is Hermo- 

gene's. 
Zulesha. Dost thou think so? Dost thou not think 
I should 
Return't to her ? 
Gyges. Thy bounden duty 'tis. 

Zulesha. Then I shall see it done. As I do pass, 

I'll throw it in her chamber door. 
Gyges. Yea, do! [Exit Zulesha with brooch] 



ZORABELLA 37 

Ah! ha! [Chuckling to self] Thus works my 

plot. Mine underling, — 
He little knows the deed that now he does, 
Nor how it whets mine aim. This gorgeous gem, 
Thus sparkling from our beauteous princess' 

breast, 
Shall drive its rays like knives against the queen, 
Who shall construe her brooch to Hermogene 
Most basely giv'n. And thereto shall I seek, — 
That I the better may my guile increase, 
And pour its rousing potion in her soul, — 
To urge Candaules lead fair Hermogene 
To that great ball which will be held this night. 
My stars are blest ! Be but your service apt, 
O all ye powers that on my working 'tend ! 
Come, craft, come, night, and hollow treachery, 
And join your countless legions in this hour! — 
For many valiants shall your subjects be, 
And weighty is the task ! [£.^if] 



ACT III 

Scene I. — Anteroom to hall room. 

[Enter Candaules and Hermogena and Vera, attending 
Hermogena] 

Hermogena. [Sinking on chair in anteroom] Nay, I'll 
not stay. 
I shall be most unwelcome. I must go. 
To-morrow, with a last farewell, I leave 
Fore'er this Lydian court. To it adieu, — 
And ne'er 't will see me more. 

Candaules. Where wilt thou go? 

Hermogena. No place, — nowhere. I had much rather, 
king. 
Cast off the frail convention of my sex, — 
Henceforth let man's rude robes frame my dis- 
guise, — 
And, for a shelter from the piercing storm, 
Take refuge in the dens of howling wolves. 
And wait with ease their piecing of my limbs 
Than dwell uncertain 'midst the fierce dislike, — 
The envious looks, the crafty, treacherous hand, — 
Of such a fiend as she. 

Candaules. O Hermogene, 

Thou hast grown faint in hope. Do as I bid. 
And I shall wind thee to thine own. Here stay; 
Where 'twixt the jovial board and festal dance, 
38 



ZORABELLA 39 

The queen's proud self, in wine and mirth sub- 
merged, 
Shall surely grant thy plea. 
Hermogena. If so thou thinkest, 

I'll heed thy words, — I'll make assay, — though I 
The gamut of her wrath did erstwhile run, 
Once more I'll hazard still. Oh, where's my 

brooch ? 
[To Vera] My gem forgottest thou? Go bring 
it here. 
Vera. I shall, in haste, madame. [Exit] 
Candaules. [Aside] Her brooch, her gem ! 

How that doth mind me of the lustrous gem, — 
Our wedding gift, — left in the arborage ! 
O thou bright jewel of our tarnished love, 
Art thou not metaled too ? Dost lie there still ? 
Art fainter than the sun-glint on the palms 
That do surround the grove? Should she repent, 
Then canst thou cast thy brilliance once again, 
And thus give solace to our leaden loves. 
But oh ! should this dull maiden find thee there, 
And, thinking thee her mistress' gaudy gem, 
Bring thee to Hermogene, — alack the thought! — 
How might I cure that jealousy! 
[Candaules enters ball room, where guests are gath- 
ering, leaving Hermogena awaiting Vera] 

[Re-enter Vera] 

Hermogena. Ah ! there ! Thy promptness doth com- 
mend thee well. 
Vera. But, madam, hold! 

Hermogena. What sayst? What hast thou there? 



40 ZORABELLA 

Vera. [In fear] A brooch, — but 't is not thine. 

Thine was misplaced. 
Within thy window's casement lay this gem, — 
So luckily it seemed, — so short the time, — 
That it did tempt me fetch it. 
Hermogena. [Taking gem, then returning it] Idle 

maid, 
Go, seek for — [Meditating] No, give't here. 

The time's too short 
To spend in dallying so. I must within. 
Come here! [Hermogena makes sign for maid 

to pin the brooch on her] [Aside] Now swells 

the music in mine ears ; 
Yet its light quavers cannot ease my heart. 
Oh, must I go, — untitled and unbidd'n, — 
A hated vagrant 'midst a festive throng? 

[Re-enter Candaules] 

Candaules. Alas! Art sorrowing? Come now, have 
cheer, 
Waste not the jovial springtime of thy days 
With dull complaint. Tears are for wintry age. 
Whose hoary locks seek death. Thy fairy feet, 
Most proud to bear the beauty of thy youth, 
Trip not the tuneful numbers of the waltz 
Unless thy heart be light. Let's don our masks 
And lightly step the tune. 

[Exeunt Candaules and Hermogena separately] 



ZORABELLA 41 

Scene II 

Ball room of palace: Lords and ladies, disguised in 
masks, are dancing. Music playing. Part- 
ners are selected by chance except for Gyges, 
who meets Zorabella by prearrangement. 

Gyges. [To queen] Thou art the queen: 

This cue we fixed upon doth me instruct, 
[Pointing to red rose in Zorabella' s hair] 

As here to thee I make my boldness known. 

Now let us to the watch. Be wary now, 

And we shall sound the truth. Thou hast sur- 
mised 

That she would be this evening's guest. Tis true. 

Yea, now she's come, — if I her voice do know, — 

But in what mask her brazen face is guised, 

I know not, queen. 
Zorabella. Oh, find her out! 

Gyges. But hold! 

I may but err. Two persons oft possess 

A close-resembling voice — 
Zorabella. No more ! She's here. 

I'll be revenged. I will ! [Pointing to one of the 
dancers] Qh, is that she? 

How with my nails I'd claw her waxen face, — 

Haul out those dazzling beacons from her brow ! 

Oh, for revenge! 
Gyges. Beware. Thou'rt not yet sure 

Until thy brooch gleams from her breast. Look 
keen. 

And shouldst thou see her flaunt its sparkling rays, 

Then know the wearer's she. 



42 ZORABELLA 

Zorahella. But all are masked. 

Gyges. Then she shall proudly bear it to thy view 

From out her gown's silk folds, — a diadem 

To vaunt the triumph of his love. No ruse 

That plotting lovers will not juggle with 

Unto their end. 
Zorahella. Thou'rt right. Yea, thou know'st all, 

Thou hast my deepest trust. 
Gyges. Then bide thy time. 

Zorahella. I should not then, if I were so resolved 

As thou art now. But I will penance bear 

If thou think'st best. 
Gyges. I know whereof I speak. 

Come, come; 't is waltzing time, and we must be 

More nimble with our feet than with our tongues, 

That our espial be not known. 

[Gyges and Zorahella join dancers^ 

[Music, to which singers sing the zvords] 

Bid care take wings, and flee away, — 
Give to glad joy the fullest sway; 
With flying feet, let's beat the time 
To music sweet that hearts doth bind. 

Cho. Forever and forever, — 

With flying feet let's beat the time 

To music sweet that hearts doth bind, — 

Forever and forever. 

Come now, each lord and lady fair, 
Ask not of each what prize ye bear; 
But trip the waltz with gladsome heart 
And tune your minds to friendship's art. 

Cho. Forever and forever, — 

So trip the waltz, with gladsome heart, 
And tune your minds to friendship's art, — 
Forever and forever. 



ZORABELLA 43 

Master of Ceremonies. Ho ! ho ! 

Attend my words, that ye may straightway hear 
On whom the trophy falls. This couple here 

[Designating Candaules and Hermogena, who are still 
masked^ 
Have drawn the judges' verdict to their skill 
In mask and dance. To them be due these gifts, 

[Large golden plates are shown] 
The noblest works of zealous artisans, 
Who in rare metals toil. So, gentles all, 
Dismiss yourselves awhile ; lay your masks by, 
That openly we may the prizes give, 
For what, concealed, they skillfully have done. 

[Exeunt all. Returning one by one, unmasked] 

First Lord. Who can it be? What think'st? 
Second Lord. 'T is like the king. 

It was his height. 
Third Lord. Nay, nay ; he's taller far. 

Second Lord. I say, it is. 

First Lord. Then what fair dame? 

Third Lord. Behold! 

They come. I shall be sworn ! It is the king ! 
Gyges. [Loudly] And Hermogene! 
[Aside to Zorahella] 
What say'st thou now, my queen? 

Was not prediction true? 
Zorahella. Oh, sick am I ! 

I'm stricken sore. Alas, faint is my heart ! 

I am undone ! 
Gyges. List now. 

^Master of Ceremonies. This prize thou'st won, 

O king, for thy famed Terpsichorean skill, 



44 ZORABELLA 

As well as noble sway. And as for thee, 
Thou beauteous princess of fair Lydia's realm, 
This gift be thine. 
[Giving Candaules a plate of gold and one to Hermo- 
gena. As Hermogena bends to receive the 
plate, the folds of her garment are dropped 
aside and the brooch of Zorabella is ex- 
hibited] 
Zorabella. [Rising in anger from her seat] High 
heaven, succor me ! 

[Turning to king] 
Is this thy triumph, king? Outraged am I! 
Yea, vended, bartered, sold ! Dost call me queen ? 
Oh, take from me all titles and all sway. 
If I have lost thy love! Yea, to be queen! 
Be nothing now. I'd trust in Lucifer, 
If that bright gem that sparkles on her breast 
Speak not the proof of her most occult guilt 
And thy foul lechery! Oh, ill am I, — 
Oh, faint ! 

[To courtiers] 
Out with the lights, I say ! Away ! 
Out with the lights. Away! Away! 
[Stage is darkened, and after a fezv moments relighted, 
shonnng only Zorabella and Gyges in ani- 
mated conversation] 
Zorabella. Well, well, 

What sayst thou now? Was't wise? 
Gyges. That thou shouldst know 

Sans mine advice. Howe'er, I trow, my queen. 
Thou shouldst have stemmed thy rage. 
Zorabella. My rage ! What harm ? 



ZORABELLA 45 

Yea, by this sceptre, since thou broached the 

words, 
I bid thee speak ! 
Gyges. Would thou hadst seen thyself ! 

Thou wouldst be bold and firm in thy resolve 
Ne'er to offend again. 
Zorahella. What dost thou mean? 

Gyges. Thou seest one's rage is like the streamlet's 

flood, 
That rises to a crest, — would o'erleap all. 
Would break all boundaries in its wild escape, — 
Yet when the crucial time so soon is past 
And one would look for those confines again, 
That were the pride and glory of the stream. 
They are not there ; and in their place lies ruin : — ■ 
Huge upturned roots, and rocks from foundments 

torn 
Stand ugly, gaping and exposed, alas ! — 
For, with a little mildness and less haste. 
How much more gently would the waters glide, 
How much more meetly would the stream have 

passed ! 
Zorahella. Thou twitt'st my rage. But to the purpose 

speak, 
Gyges. Thou'st wrecked our plans. What thou hast 

bade me do. 
Hast thou undone. Didst not importune me 
To give thee proof ? Did I not lead thee where 
They parleyed in the swaying arborage. 
Of Hstening ears un'ware? Did I not guide 
Thine own fair judging eyes unto her breast, 
Where shown the brooch by his false hands trans- 
posed ? 



46 ZORABELLA 

Then didst thou not, mistaking this for proof, 
In wrath all Lydia's festal torches quell? 

Zorahella. I did indeed. 

Gyges. Ah! there thou didst o'erleap. 

Hadst thou but left them to their full intent 
Upon a night of such convivial joys, — 
What might they not have done ? 

Zorahella. Thou teachest me 

To call my wrath my fool. Yea, I did err. 

Gyges. Thou didst indeed. For thus we have no 
proof. 
Why, might their actions not be courtesy, — 
Or might they not be accident ? Chance not 
On weighty matters such as this, I pray; 
Then know thou, too, that countless innocents, — 
Whose hearts are purer than the air they 

breathe, — 
.Beneath the jaws of scandal's vice are crushed, 
By most foul circumstances misjudged. There is 
Such thing as chance which oft to guiltless souls 
A false attaint doth lay. 

Zorahella. Ha! Think'st thou that? 

Gyges. Why should I not ? Must I not needs be fair ? 

As yet he is not innocent, nor e'en 

Is he acknowledged false — 

Zorahella. Thou cloak'st thy thought. 

Thou hast some purpose in't. 
Gyges. By heav'n, I swear 

I do not, queen! List now. Hath he confessed? 

Have they been found by us so trafficking 

In evil deeds that bear such certain proof 

That all might ridicule imaginings ? 



ZORABELLA 47 

Zorahella. W'hy, no, not yet. But that's the task in 
which 
Thou wert with me enleagued. 

Gyges. Hope withers now, — 

Our proof is Wight. There are things else I 

know, — 
But lo, a weak and ravenous gull thou'dst be 
To lend thy credence to the words I'd speak, 
Wherein thine eyes did fail to see. 

Zorahella. Doubt I 

What to mine ears thou breathest now? Oh, 

speak, — 
If aught thou know'st. Oh, let me claw thy 

brains. 
That I might pick the shredding of thy mind ! 
Unto the least accounting of thy thoughts 
Let me be secretary. Here bow I down, — 
Lo, what a lordly sovereign thou art now, 
Ensceptered with my soul's deep mystery ! 
Gyges. [Aside] And yea, would I were sovereign 

o'er thy heart! 
Let time proclaim thee that, while self-restraint 
Compels my silence now. My hatchment works. 
[Aloud] What wouldst thou have me say? — that 

he is false? 
And when thou askest proof, then cry to me : 
''Base imp of perjury!" 
Zorahella. Far be't from that. 

If thou but wilt, thou canst go further on; 
We'll spy again. 

Gyges. Therein I must say nay. 

Thy fault's not mine. Why need one double do 



48 ZORABELLA 

What he once well hath done? I'm but half sure 
That these our over-bold conjecturings 
Would in the fact have e'er proved true. And yet, 
I'd leave the matter now. He is my friend, — 
Leave me to grant him 'vantage of the doubt ; 
And, with thy leave to speak mine honest heart, — 
Since there's no proof of but suspected sin, — 
I loathe to think him false. 
Zorahella. Base renegade! 

Dost play the crab? Renounce? Hast thou not 

breathed 
The fire of envy in my restless soul ? 
Have I not risked my virtue at thy feet 
To beg thee delve the truth? Now, dost thou 

speak 
Of fallacy? By heavens, it cannot be 
That thou'rt indeed the liar of all men, 
And chaste as Cupid's bow is he ? List now : 
If thou hast trifled with my husband's love, 
Thou'dst better be a soul fore'er condemned 
To bear the twinging torment of hell fires 
Than rue it 'neath the torture of the rack 
That I shall put thee to. Prove these thy words, 
Or count thy life as naught. 
Gyges. Ah, there thou art, 

Cleft on the rocks of doubt and surety ! 
Yet fail thou not to see my rigorous task 
And what a crime it is to false a friend. 
You know I loved the king. Mere loyalty, — 
And ne'er a thought of hate, nor greed, nor 

gain,— 
Bade me to ope my mouth in trust to thee. 
But oh, how few would bear a single tale, 



ZORABELLA 49 

If idle gossip charged such loads as this! 

Zorahella. Go on. I'll wait no prefacing, since thou 
Art set to speak. 

Gyges. Oft have I heard him say- 

That he did love her. 

Zorahella. Love her? Ha! 

Gyges. But more: 

The ties of wedlock deemed he heartsick bonds, — 
Yea, clogs on liberty and man's free will, — 
Which lightly formed, should easily be broke. 
The soul's caprice, taught he, is man's true goal, 
And that should guide his love. 

Zorahella. Oh, said he that ? 

Yea, 'tis his brutish thought. What else of her? 

Gyges. Ofttimes would he commend her eyes or 
hair, 
And sing sad lays that mourned unhappy love; 
Then, when his soul was rapt in lighter mood, 
Would he declare were he again to wive 
His heart's first drawing would be she. 

Zorahella. Oh, woe! 

O painted devil ! O base, ungrateful brute ! 
Cloyed now with this my stale and timeworn love, 
Doth he abandon me! But one thing more: 
Did he e'er breathe a word of wrong with her? 

Gyges. He did, my queen, but guarded was his 
tongue 
And double was his speech. Of course, when I 
Did gossip on his side, he grew more bold. 
But all the while did blanket so his thoughts, — 
With clouds of broad assertion and denial 
So shrewdly shift in everywise, — that I 
Could get no logic from his speech. 



50 ZORABELLA 

Zorahella. Enough ! 

Now, by the heavens, I swear my lord is false! 

So oft he toyed to sweat mine innocence, 

Then, fearing lest mine anger should arise, 

Would he his words unsay. 
Gyges. Ah, there, my queen, 

Did he unto his rank, foul nature give 

The surest, sternest sign. 
Zorahella. I do believe! 

Ye gods above ! O ye avenging powers ! 

Hurl down your thunders now. O Cupid, thou'rt 
fall'n 

From heaven to hell. No more in pomp dost thou 

Earth's blissful souls in hallowed bonds conjoin, 

But stoop'st to shame and basest procury ! 

I'd be revenged. But yet, — ye gods above! — 

Keep murder farthest from mine anguished soul 

That I may woo it not ! 
Gyges. Thou shouldst be free 

From such foul bonds of love. 
Zorahella. I shall be free, — 

I should be free, — yet anything but that, — 

Yea, anything ; I would not slay my lord. 
[Exit Zorahella] 

[Re-enter Candaules] 

Candaules. [To Gyges, who is putting out the lights] 

Who's there? 
Gyges. Thine officer, my liege ! 

Candaules. The queen, — 

Is she abed? 
Gyges. Not yet, my liege, nor will, 



ZORABELLA 51 

If I do read her mind. She'll not be urged. 

Candaules. What sayst, my lord? Hast thou yet 
talked with her? 

Gygcs. She hath just now gone hence. 

Candaules. Hast thou done naught ? 

Gyges. Nothing, my lord. But 't is no fault of mine. 
Think not that I have been undiligent. 
Would that success were measured by my toil, 
Then wouldst thou know ! 

Candaules. I blame thee not, my lord. 

I know the task. But tell, — how answered she, 
And in what mood? 

Gyges. She would say naught, my liege. 

Caudaules. She nothing said? By Zeus, I'll see her 
then. 
I'll know the truth. I'll solve her mystery? 

Gyges. But hold! my liege, wouldst thou heap coals 
on fire, — 
Add oil to flame ? She will not heed thee now, 
I am assured. Deep ills must run their time 
Ere they subside. Then when the hour is come 
Do on my promptest interpleading count. 

Candaules. O noble friend, I trust in thine advice. 
Thou art mine all in all dependency. 
Good luck to thee, thou wooer of my queen. 
But for her husband's sake. O woe is me ! 
Full sorrows doth the lap of nature hold. 
And never do they seem to empty quite. 
Could I be steeled thereto ! But kings are men, — 
Have human ills. From her I shall refrain; 
To mine own bed retire. [Exit] 

Gyges. [Aside] Thou'rt safest there. 

Yet restless be thy proud uncertain head, — 



52 ZORABELLA 

Thou'rt marked for death. E'en art thou 'dan- 

gered there, 
If this my plot work true. To-night, I hear, 
A secret conference of the lords is called 
Whereunto he, the king, alone is bidd'n. 
I doubt not but that on Bogolsa's fate 
They will debate, since his desired release 
Will seem to right the rupture in the realm. 
By his most late ill-starred rebellion rent. 
But, lo! that must not be. He must not live 
To breathe of how I did enlist his heart 
In that ill-fated cause; and he must die 
That I may to the queen's rash judgment prove 
The king him slew for Hermogena's love. 
Thus I shall go, armed with most weighty proof 
That Lydia keep from traitors' lives aloof. 
[Exit] 



ACT IV 

Scene I 

Conference room of the palace; Candaules, Moroz, 
Gyges, and lords in session. 

Candaules. Speak out ! Tell me what is your 
pleasure, lords, 
In brave Bogolsa's fate? For mine own part, 
I think 'twould please our dark foreboding 

queen, — 
Where I for love would in all things else yield, — 
To speak for his release. 

Moroz. And I, my liege ; 

For that would down her envious jealousy. 
Which bodes for thee and Lydia's sceptre harm. 
If thou shouldst pardon him, thou pleasest her, 
And this alike shall gladden Hermogena, 
Whose meek-borne wrongs have zealous hosts 

upraised. 
To rally 'round her cause. Thy task it is 
To solve this riddle, — rivet up the breach, — 
Which doth o'er all our realm huge terror tend. 

Candaules. True, when thou lift'st'the scales' most 
heavy weight 
On but one side, down goes the opposite; 
Thus, lift the load that weighs her brother's life. 
And down shall fly her galling jealousy. 

Moroz. This is most meet. 

53 



54 ZORABELLA 

Gyges. I beg thy pardon, king ; 

But this hold lord hath not consistency. 
Erstwhile did he with treason charge my soul, 
And justice asked upon't. Be witness here, — 
Though he ne'er proved an item of his charge, 
Yet he did name't a crime most terrible. 
Now doth he ask a traitor's rash release, — 
One in delicto, tried, adjudged, condemned, — 
That may be well for those of kith and kin 
Whose pity might our kingdom's law o'erride; 
Yet for this blusterer 't is most unmeet 
To send the guiltless headless from the block, 
But felons thus convict would liberate. 
What think'st thou on't ? 

Moroz. If thou art then so bold, 

Know this : my charges are not yet disproved. 

Gyges. What, swaggerer, call'st thou me traitor yet ? 

Moroz. Cairt whatsoe'er thou wilt, for aught I care. 
'Tis plain. Where favor court'sies to the cause, 
Conviction ever stands aloof. Dost see? 

Gyges. By all the gods of Lydia, thou li'st. 

And this mine arm shall prove't! [Drawing^ 

Moroz. I stand prepared. 

I court this test of arms. 'Twill prove my words. 
Since Pallas' sword be bent. 

Candanles. [Raising sceptre^ Come, cavil not! 
Do ye not fear we might arouse the queen ? 
Forbear, forbear, my lords ! What might she say 
If such most heath'nish brawl as this cried out 
Our harmless secrecy? Forbear! I say. 

Moroz. I ask one stroke, — but one! 

Gyges. I'll answer thee ! 

Candaules. Hold, hold I Help ! Help ! Ye guards ! 



ZORABELLA 55 

[Fight hetzveen Moroz and Gyges is stopped by guards, 
who rush in] 

I thank you, sirs. 
Let there be peace! And without more ado 
This matter to election I will put: 
The greater count shall win. 
Gyges. I see defeat 

'Midst these 'fore whom I have been slandered so, 
But thine's the pleasure, king. I'll bite my teeth 
Till I have evened with this scurvy lord. 
Who hath mine honor questioned. 
Moros. Thou hast none. 

Candaules. Niay, peace! I cry thee, lords! Speak 
not, I say, 
Lest each response should stir new enmity. 
I would please all, — I would I could, — but since 
There is no hope, the poll hath privilege 
To say us "y^^/' or "nay." 

[To one of lords-in-waiting] 

The ballots bring. 
Let us have peace, — of this rude strife no more. 
Too much its horrid head contention shakes 
O'er this our realm, and frights the dove of peace. 
That she no more with us would bide. 
[Ballots are distributed, on zuhich each writes and de- 
posits in urn] 

What now ? 
Have ye all cast ? Then speak, O sacred urn, 
Your silent will. 

[ To lord-in-waiting ] 

What counsel doth it give ? 

Lord. [Reading] ''Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye," — 



56 ZORABELLA 

full twenty 'ayes, 
And but one nay. 
Candaiiles. [Joyfully] Then be Bogolsa free! 
Gyges. [Scornfully to Moros] Ne'er dart thine eyes 

at me. I did not cast — 
Moroz. Indeed! I saw thy hand. 
Gyges. What if thou didst? 

MoroB. It proves thy treachery. Him thou'dst con- 
demn, 
Though thou through his ascent didst plant thy 

hope 
To cap thyself with Lydia's crown. Ne'er fear. 
I'll prove my challenge yet. 
Gyges. A lie! A lie! 

Candaules. Peace, — peace! Although I cannot take 
your tongues, 
I can cut off your lives. List now to me ! 
The lord who breathes that hateful word again, 
Though't be he were my very heart of hearts, 
Or clung to me in ties of birth and blood, 
By Jove, I swear he dies ! [Raising sceptre] 
Moroz. 'My gracious liege, — 

Gyges. I'll rest. 

Candaules. How meet it is ! Ye should take hands. 
Yet I'll not ask you to. That's to your choice, — 
'Tis each man's right to have what friends he 

will 
And aliens to cast off. Now to th' affair. 
Hand me that writ. Oh, that this hand might 

cure 
Our queen's deep jealousy! [Writing] 
Moroz. Such is our hope, 



ZORABELLA 57 

My gracious majesty. 
Candaides. Go, Gyges, go, 

And set Bogolsa free! Come one, come all! 
Let's to our pillows, — drown this day's sad deeds 
In adamantine slumber. To-morrow smiles 
The queen. We've bowed us to her stubborn will 
And stamped approval on her deep'st desire. 
Good-night ! 

Lords. Good night, our most kind Majesty! 
[Exeunt all but Gyges, zvlio lingers, scrutinizing zwit] 
Gyges. O ye infernal gods ! Thus am I thwart. 

Blocked, barred, and obstacled ! Mine own foul 

plot 
Hath through a miry channel quicked itself 
And choked in its own slime! O treachery! 
Thou art out-distanced now ! But hold ! Let's 

see, — 
Let's see, let's see! — What if this writ were 

changed ? 
'T were but a simple task! 

[Extinguishes all lights hut candle] 

Out there, ye lights! 
I '11 add a *'not" to the "released" and here 
'T is "execute for treason 'gainst the realm." 
Ah ! ha ! 'T is done. Ah me ! What miracle ! 
This changed writ doth speak thy sure-set doom, 
O charming, amorous prince! If I were not 
In trapping for the queen too deep engaged, 
Then might I set my snare for thy betrothed, 
Whose spotless beauty I'd prefer. Thou'rt freed ! 
But death's the guardsman that shall let thee pass 
To thine eternal liberty. All's well. 



58 ZORABELLA 

Would that kind fortune soon vouchsafe to me 
The rights I now usurp ! This forgery 
Already crowns me king. My headsmen true, — 
Well skilled by practice in their sorry tasks, — 
Now murder without qualm. Fll call them here 
This warrant to receive. It shall explain 
This night's dark deeds to our confiding queen. 
When then the drowsy earth to deeds shall rouse 
With her dread clamors for revenge, O ho ! 
Ho ! here, Morashna ! here Zulesha ! Here ! 
[Enter Morashna and Ztdesha] 

Morashna and Zulesha. Here are we at thy ser- 
vice, noble lord. 

Gyges. Now straightway serve this writ. Then haste 
ye here 
When its command be done. 

Morashna. We shall, my lord, 

With all due promptness. 

Gyges. Hold! One thing besides, — 

Morashna. What, sir? 

Gyges. Should ye be asked who gave it you, 

Remember, 't was the king. Ye see his hand 
Afifixed thereto? Enough. Naught do I know. 
Is that not plain? 

Morashna. [Under standingly] Most plain indeed, 
my lord. 

Gyges. Then be ye ofif! 

[Morashna and Zulesha, going] 

Zulesha. [Muttering] This business I love not, — 
These secret executions. 

Morashna. That is naught. 

We need have but esteem for his employ; 
Besides, our heads do stand between. 



ZORABELLA .59 

Gyges. [Looking after them] Not gone? 

Be nimbler, sirs. Think of the great reward 
That shall be yours. In tears this brat shall plead 
With words of such compelling strength, and give 
Such cogent proofs whereby no man should die 
Till senile nature lops him off, that ye 
May feel your hearts to sink, but heed it not : 
Conditions make us wield our daggers keen 
Not as we would, but as we must. 

Morashna. Fear't not. 

[Exeunt Moraslina and Zulesha] 
Gyges. My plot works well. Soon shall our mistress 
know 
The king hath writ against her brother's life : 
This be the chord I shall her heart attune 
To dreader dirges than the groans of him 
Who guards the gates of hell. To her I'll go, 
And bear the message. [Starts to go, but is un- 
expectedly met by Zorabella, who has been 
aroused by the previous quarrel] 

[Enter Zorabella and attendants] 

Ah ! How now, my queen ? 
Zorabella. My lord! Where went the king? His 
voice I heard, — 
Or thought I heard it ring as if to still 
A bloody fray. Tell me, — what bloodshed's here? 
Or was it but a lusty nightmare's call, 
That waked me from my slumbering? Know'st 
aught ? 
Gyges. They held a council here : them I opposed 
And all the machinations of their crew. 



60 ZORABELLA 

Then came harsh words to swords, and when thy 

lord 
Saw I would triumph o'er mine armed foes, — 
Who, as thou know'st, are his proud favorites, — 
Then cried he, "Peace !" His harsh command thus 

giv'n, 
Naught favored me, but spared their lives. 'Twas 

that, 

queen, thou heard'st and naught beside. Thou 

see'st, 

1 was constrained to stave my bloodless sword 
Back in its sheath again without a thrust. 

Zorahella. Thou didst not strike? What shame! 
But tell me now; 
What deep laid plot? What butt, — what end, — 

what aim? 
'Gainst whom? 
Gyges. 'Gainst thee! 

Zorahella. Ne'er hath he dared ere this 

T'usurp my power. How moves he 'gainst me 
now? 

[Re-enter Morashna and Zulesha from execution of 
Bogolsa, carrying blood-stained writ] 

Gyges. Here come mine officers, who, I surmise. 
His most foul will were bade to execute, 
Me basely superseding. Hear their deeds. 
Their message shall spare speech. 
Zorahella. [To Morashna and Zulesha] Oh, speak 

thereof ! 
Morashna. [Handing writ to Zorahella] Here is the 
writ the king did bid us serve, — 



ZORABELLA 61 

A labor done in fear that were't not done 
The self -same labor might on us be wrought 
To our discomfiture. I do confess, 
My noble queen, a weakness in my soul 
To cling to li£e as long as life be spared. 
And that's wherefore I did this mission do, — 
Not that I wished it, nay ; mine eyes did squint 
To see his speech-stilled palate quiver so 
As't bid his headless body's breath adieu. 
Zorabeila. Oh, let me see! 

[Snatching writ from his hand] 

Gyges. [Pretending to read] Look there ! 'Tis 
stained with blood ! 
So I had thought. 
Zorabeila. Alas ! My brother's slain ! 

Alas ! My poor unhappy kin ! 
[Looks angrily at Morashna and Zulesha] 
And did ye that, 
Base hounds of Lydia ? 

[Raising sword to strike them] 

Gyges. Hold thy sword, my queen. 

Their duty is our lordships but to serve. 
They have no power to stretch or mince the thing. 
If thou dost doubt, but scan the writ thyself 
And see thy brute lord's name affixed thereto. 

Zorabeila. [Reading] O all ye heavenly powers! 
Alas ! Alas ! 
O blameless youth ! O lovely wayward boy ! 
O had I freed thee! But thou didst obstruct 
My lecherous sovereign's amorous desires ! 
And must thou thus be quarried here, my boy, 
As one who is the realm's most dungeoned slave ? 



62 ZORABELLA 

Ye gods, grant me the strength of murderous man, 
That I may combat him. Unsex me now. 
Unsex the world that woman's strong mailed arm 
May buckle swords with man. Oh, scoff no more, 
Ye who have scorned her strength. Let me re- 
solve ! 
Yea, Clytemnestra played a manly part. 
To slay her guilty spouse! 

Gyges. Resolve thee now ! 

'Tis that which thee to thine own ruin wills, — 
Like him, who now hath thus been juggled off, — 
Or rescues thee from ill. 

Zorahella. Oh, must I slay? 

High Jove, look down from heaven and answer 

me 
How to appease a woman's aching heart 
And yet not stoop to crime. Impossible ! 
Then be my purpose fell and sure as death, 
That not the all-hereafter hand of time 
May rue the fateful day that made me forge 
The bond to this my vow ! 

Gyges. Lov'st thou not life 

As much as these thy servants do? And then 
Wouldst thou, mute, plant thy helmet on the block, 
And bid him strike? 

Zorahella. O heavens ! Yea ; he must die ! 

In truth he must ! O gods, what wary loves 
Can move the gentlest souls to deeds of crime! 
Yea, yea ; this night he dies. Thou are my friend. 
Thou shalt join hand in this. 

Gyges. [Aside] A hand I'll join, — 

[Aloud] Indeed, [Aside] and so, I hope, a heart. 

Zorahella. What say'st? 



ZORABELLA 63 

Gyges. Oh, naught, my queen. The deed, if 'tis well 

done, 

That service is my pay. 
Zorahella. Oh, thou'lt reap more. 

Gyges. [Aside] If these thy words shall not be 
prov'n true. 

Then I'm a simple weakling in the realm 

And its most futile plotsman. [Aloud] He sleeps 
now; 

How should the deed be done? 
Zorahella. Instruct thou me! 

What very justice to a panderer? 

It must be done abed ! Nerved to the rack, 

My feeble frame in sweaty terror quakes. 

But I shall do't. In hist'ry have proof, 

How scorned wives from husbands ransomed 
are, — 

Yea, they are ever murdered in their beds. 

Oh, must these weak and trembling hands of 
mine 

Such awful vengeance wreak? O horrid time! 

Let no star shine upon this monstrous deed. 

Come, draw the curtains o'er each pitying eye 

That no restraining power may stretch its hand 

Until my dagger's wound is past its cure! 

'We must choose divers routes. Now draws the 
day 

That shall to all the world our deed lay bare 

Unless we hasten on. Hence to his room 

Ere it be dawn. 
Gyges. I shall not fail thee, queen. 

I'll serve thee well. 

[Exit Zorahella'] 



64 ZORABELLA 

' Wherein I serve myself 
Most potently. 

[Morashna and Zulesha talk apart] 
My generals heard not? Nay. 
Morashna I do trust, the other, fear; 
For his soft nature is too pliable 
To conscience' sting to thrust the murderer's 

sword, 
Which hands, — not hearts, — must wield. Well, 

I must go. 
I see my crown. If I mistake me not, 
To-morrow shall new regents ruling see 
In charge of Lydia's high-arched monarchy. 
Oh ho ! Oh ho ! my lords, come, come with me ! 
{Exeunt] 



ACTV 

Scene I 

Sleeping chamber of king; Candaules asleep in alcove. 

[Enter Zorahella, with sheathed dagger] 

Zorabella. Alas ! thou hast done treason to my love, — 
That crime thou diest for. I would be spared 
From this dark hour. O dismal, woeful time ! 
O most false perjurer! That I must be 
Thine executioner! How thou li'st there, — 
How innocent thou sleep'st ! Oh, that thy life, 
Like now thy placid sleep, had no more sin, — • 
That I should have no sorrow! How my heart 
Doth ache to wield the dagger that it must! 
O brute adulterer! Know, 'tis not I 
That dare exhaust this laboring pump of life. 
But 'tis thine own weak, pale infirmities, 
Now scourged by justice, hallow'd and divine. 

[Unsheathes dagger] 
Up with this arm ! Down, down ! One fatal 

stroke 
Shall loose the sin that now doth loose thy life. 
No more, — my lord, — no more ! Alas ! No more ! 
Oh, could I but take out thy wicked heart. 
And let thee live, — and let thee live, my prince, 
And love thee undefiled! Then take this kiss, 

65 



66 ZORABELLA 

A loving kiss, — one more, — so tender 'twas. 
As was thy love grown harsh. Mine eyes flood 

tears, 
But this my sorrow's naught. 
[Stabs Candaules, whereupon the curtain of alcove 

zvhere he is sleeping is drawn. A bell is rung 

by Zorabella. Exit] 

[Enter Gyges, Morashna, and Zulesha] 

Gyges. [To Morashna and Zulesha] The bell hath 
rung, the sign whereby we know 
Her mute and awful vengeance is complete. 
All's well ! Guard well the door that no one 

pass, 
While I shall penetrate that inner shrine 
And to me introduce its butchery. 

[Exeunt Morashna and Zulesha] 

[Re-enter Zorabella, with bleeding dagger] 

Gyges. Oh, is it done, my queen? Thou need'st not 
speak. 
Thy reeking dagger's crimson tongue repeats 
What vengeance thou hast wrought. Think'st 

thou that now 
The deed be truly done? Did he not wake 
As thou didst pierce his side? 

Zorabella. Nay, nay, my lord; 

He slumbered on. 'T was an unending sleep, 
Wherefrom he shall no more awake, — no more! 

Gyges. Then saw he naught, nor oped his eyes? 

Zorabella. Nay, sir, — 



ZORABELLA 67 

As true as that I breathe, — naught could he know. 

'Twas 'but a sudden, wished-for franchisement. 

Whereby from this life's troubled shore he sprang 

To that dim island of eternity. 

Nor time, nor will had he to look behind 

For faithful soundings of his fleeting course 

That he might leave't to after voyagers. 

Gygcs. Good, then, my queen ! So tremble not, nor 
fear 
That ever ghost shall rise to bruit the tale, 
Since his life's eyes did bear no evidence, 
That might to sheeted progeny be lent. 

Zorahella. Oh, thou dost teach me well. I shall be 
bold. 
I'll clench my fists. I'll say that 't is not done. 
But lo! It is, — it is! O heavens! Alas! 
What bloody dagger wakes me from my dreams? 

Gyges. Come, come ; 'tis not a time for conscience 
keen, 
Nor scruples such as this. We must away 
With this foul taint of crime. It must 'be hid 
From sight of gods and men, — I say, it must. 

Zorabella. Would that thou couldst ? I fear we can- 
not scour 
The baser dross, but with the brighter gold, 
And thus cleanse all away. Let's bare the truth, — • 
'T will come to light. 

Gyges. Hush, hush, thou woman, — hush, — 

Let man rule here. No weak-kneed cowardice 
Be ours. Prompt be our acts. By bells and fifes 
This house, — roused up in dire and dread alarm, — 
Shall mourn to see its noble master slain. 



68 20RABELLA 

Doubt not but they will question this dread 

deed, — 
Which question is our hope. 

Zorabella. Nay, 't is the snare 

By which we shall be gyved. 

Gyges, This bloody ring, — 

I'll drop it here. 'Tis Moroz', from him filched, — 
This is a deed of mine own hammering, — 
And it shall train such shaft at Moroz' head 
That none shall seek for further proof. 

Zorabella. Fair craft ! 

Keen wit! Yet Moroz was, as all do know. 
The king's most bosom friend? Why should he 
slay? 

Gyges. The better reason. Hast thou not oft heard 
That 'blackest traitors spring from loyal friends? 
Of many such I know, where those who fawn 
False hearts do wear, and sugar-coated tongues. 
Sheathed daggers 'neath their smiles. 

Zorabella. But 't must be proved. 

Gyges. Why, 'tis well known how they to issue came 

On thy dear brother's fate ; Moroz played fair, 

And for him plead. 
Zorabella. Then taint not him therefor. 

Gyges. Why, this is policy. List now besides : 

'Tis known that monarchy he did abhor. 

He led the commons 'gainst plutocracy. 
Zorabella. I do recall. But he'll deny the crime 

Most vigorously. 
Gyges. V\\ warrant thee, he'll not. 

A letter, forged in secret, him advised 

How this late king did fret to take his life, — 



ZORABELLA 69 

Suspecting gross, foul plots against the crown, — 

Whereat he fled. 
Zorahella. How wise thou art in craft! 

Thy wit should win thee this usurper's seat, 

Whom now I slew. 
Gyges. [Aside] And shall most shortly, too. 

But still, my tongue, and answer when she can 

The title unencumbered give, and when 

I fitter am to take it. [Aloud] O my queen, 

I thank thee. Mayst thou prosper! When thou 
hear'st 

The fray mine officers shall sound abroad. 

Then hasten hither, and, with wondrous stare, 

Put question to the deed. 

[Exit Zorahella] 

[Morashna and Zulesha enter, signaled by Gyges] 

Ring out the bells ! 
Sound loud the fife! So drawl her heavy notes 
That every soul be roused up turbulent. 
As from an evil dream. [Exit] 
[Morashna and Zulesha ringing and fifing. Curtain 
falls on noise of hells and horns and rushing 
together of lords] 

Scene II 

Same as Scene I ; Gyges and Zorahella in animated 
conversation. 

Gyges. 'T was eas'ly won ! 

Through me, on Moroz' head the blame is laid. 



70 ZORABELLA 

And we the bolt of censure have escaped. 

Thy partner in the sowing of thy hopes, 

Why, then, exempt me from the harvesting? 

We do but waste the time. Come, let us wed. 

A priest but standeth by to join our hopes, 
■ Then we may seize the realm with such a gripe, 

That none might shake us from the throne. 
Zorabella. Alas ! 

My heart rebels at this. Thou know'st my 
thoughts, — 

They are but woman's ! There need be no haste, 

Nb matter what a widow's choice may be, — 

Yet am I 'counted queen. 
Gyges. This answer's naught. 

Thou dost not know thyself. I care no whit 

With horrid scenes to load thy memory. 

Nor speak how ably didst thou plunge the sword 

That carved its passage to thy great lord's heart, — 

Of that I will not speak. Our secret 't is, 

And not for others' ears. 
Zorabella. If that thou plann'st, — 

Then execute! I'll answer then thy charge. 

Thou didst but counsel all. 
Gyges. Shall that thee shield? 

Didst thou not do the deed? 
Zorabella. Yea, murder 't was, — 

Most foul, — that fouler grows to think thereon. 

Oh, must I bow my head before that thought? 

Did I so stoop ? Alas ! Did these my hands, — 

My hands ! — What gory stains ! — yet I had 
cause — 
Gyges. Canst answer to a crying kingdom thus 

Who did the very walks and lanes adore 



ZORABELLA 71 

Wherein their master trod? 

Zorabella. Oh, do relent! 

I shall be kind, subservient, gentle too. 
Here is my pledge, yet to such loathsome bond 

[Handing sceptre to Gyges] 
I will not, cannot yield. All that thou wilt, — 
All titles, fortunes that I owe, — take all, — 
But never ask my hand. 

Gyges. I wish naught else. 

I speak my love. Didst think my heart was cold 
Because I ne'er paid court to thee, my queen, 
In schoolboy fashion? Nay, I risk'd my life 
To serve thy cause. When thou by him wast 

wronged 
Who came to rescue thee? By deeds I sought 
My love to prove, not by sheer words, dear queen. 
[Approaching and grasping Zorabella s hand] 
The heart that doth its passion now unfold 
Doth love thee more than life. The water's spray 
That doth but gently babble, queen, thou know'st. 
Springs from the deepest fount. Oh, come, — 
assent ! 

Zorabella. Away ! Do not my sacred person touch 
With thy foul hands. Could I believe thy vows, 
Wouldst thou consent to wear the tottering crown 
That from Candaules' head I now did throw? 
Think'st thou that I did free me of his love 
To seek a lesser in another's breast? 

Gyges. It is a greater love, I swear. 

Zorabella. Swear not. 

The gods forbid ! Thou know'st I cannot yield. 
What of the host who sip this rank abuse 
Of how our sovereign master met his death? 



72 ZORABELLA 

What of the exiled lord, who'd scurry back, 
Intrenched with arms of law and evidence. 
Heard he of this? 

Gyges. My strength shall answer that. 

Zorabella. Thy strength, — thy strength ? O heavens ! 
Wherefore this? 
Boast of thy strength, if so thy pleasure be, 
But thou shalt never make me yield. 

Gyges. By Jove ! 

I'll change my tune, I'll plead no more with thee. 
Know that I've wrest from thee the crown I 

begged 
And bear the name of king. No more defy ; 
Lest I should seize thee, — traitor to my cause, — 
And cry thy dagger's practice to the skies, 
That all may hue thy death. Rest thou assured, 
That if to-morrow crowns thee Lydia's queen. 
So shall it crown me king. 

Zorabella. My guards I'll call. 

Thou shalt be seized. [Zorabella calls on atten- 
dants, hut none anszver] I know thy treason 
now, — 
Oh, had I known't before ! This is thy plot ! 
I am thy victim now! 

Gyges. Yea, call thy men. 

Thou shalt find none. 

Zorabella. Alas ! Thus hath my wicked wrath 

Sought vengeance on my life ! Oh, curse the day 
That I did steep my hands in his dear blood 
To face such brutish monster now. Ye gods ! 
Must I be scourged by mine unshriven sin 
And cowered into lust ? Dost thou not know 
A woman's heart ? Canst feel a woman's love ? 



ZORABELLA 73 

Sink in her heart no colder, chiller steel 
Than love enforced. O brutish, villainous man! 
Here kneel I down 'fore thee. Yea, if thou wilt; 
Come with this sword and take thy triumph now, 
But for mine erring soul show pity still, 
And drive me not to that deep den of lust 
That thou hast signaled me. Here, take this 
blade, — 

[Handing dagger to Gyges] 
I know its steel, — 't was proved in my king's 

breast, — 
And plunge it in my heart. I'll ask no more. 

Gyges. [With defiant sneer] Away! away! thou 
patch of tattering tears ! 
Think'st thou I have regard for woman's sighs, 
Or that their mildness melts heroic hearts 
That know naught but of might and soldiery? 
Bethink thee yet a while, and bring to me 
More fit response. [Leaving] 

Zorabella. Oh, stay. Oh, go not yet ! 

Canst thou e'er say I sought thy service, sir, 
For ends unchaste ? Was not my purpose pure, 
As I did think my lord was false? 

Gyges. Well,— well? 

Zorabella. I would not have thee think, my lord, that 
I 
Did e'er mine honor taint. A gem it is 
More precious than my life. 

Gyges. That's naught to me. 

Thou dost evade. 

Zorabella. No longer then will I — 

In reminiscing, sir, I needs must grant 
The vengeance that my steel so sadly wrought 



74 ZORABELLA 

Was rashly tak'n. Yea, him I slew, — alas ! — 

But for a sign. Thus was his flagrant sin 

Ne'er overt shown, nor e'er confessed, ne'er 

proved ; 
But this thy treason 'boldly standeth out, 
Naked and exposed. The goddess bids me weigh 
Your two offenses now. Poised is the scales ! 
Thine tips the beam. Minerva lifts her voice, 
And this I hear: ''Avenge, avenge, avenge!" 
There is mine answer, sir. 

[Stabs Gyges] 

Gyges. [Falling, strikes at Zorabella, zuounding her] 

Oh, treachery ! 
Take that for thee! 

Zorabella. Oh, ah ! I'm slain, — I'm slain ! 

[Enter Lords, running] 

First Lord. Ah me! What quarry's here? 

Second Lord. Why, 't is our queen ! 

She's wounded, sirs. 

Third Lord. And Gyges ! What hath happ'd ? 

First Lord. O horrible! Each hath the other slain. 

Gyges. [Rising on arm] No, still I live, but ah ! 
't is true, I fear. 
Oh, how my wheel of fortune thus is gripp'd, 
And I am halt ! Oh, how mine awful sins 
Do weigh me heavier than my steel. What peace 
Have I? Not all the Himalayan snow 
Can cleanse my black heart white, nor strike out 

now 
The dreadful crimes of blood and treachery 
That I am guilty of. Justice divine ! 



ZORABELLA 75 

Thou art in all supreiiDe! Thou humble'st me 
And mak'st me to confess. Oh, oh, oh, oh; 
Oh, that we might grow older, wiser, young, 
And backward weave the threads of destiny, — 
From hoary hairs to youth's soft trundle-bed, — 
Oh, then, how few would die unshrift ! Oh, here ! 
[Dies, pointing to zvound] 

Second Lord. What mysteries doth his parting soul 
divulge ! 
His base heart's door that he in life did bar. 
Now in his death is oped. 

Zoroibella. [Rising] Did Gyges speak? 
O monster of deceit! What gull was I 
To take his words for truth. My lord was true, — 
Oh, true! 

Third Lord. But look ! Surprise comes on surprise ! 
Here is the fugitive. 

[Enter Moroz, followed by Zulesha] 

Lords. We greet you both. 

[To Moros] 
First Lord. Here is sad news. Didst thou not flee, 

my lord? 
Moroz. True I did flee, but on my way did meet 
Two men in combat, — one, Zulesha here. 
The other, proud Morashna, who swift fell, 
Pierced by Zulesha's spear. He oped mine eyes 
With tales ye all shall long to hear. These tales 
Taught me what depth of treason stalked abroad, 
And my return compelled. I'll prove my 

charge, — 
Gyges a traitor is. 



76 ZORABELLA 

First Lord. 'T is proved ere this. 

There doth he He, hy Zorabella slain. 

Moroz. Oh, let me see ! or else I'll not believe. 
[Approaching Gyges' body] 
Now hear Zulesha speak. 

Ziilesha. When it is breathed 

That he our greatest traitor was, — all's said. 
'Neath him I labored till my veins grew cold 
With working treacherous deeds. My soul re- 
belled, 
But when I sought to leave his services, 
Morashna, his best spokesman, took offense, 
And in the fray that from our words ensued 
Perforce I slew him. 

Moroz. Thou need'st not explain. 

Thou'rt justified. 

Zorabella. One word before I die: 

What know'st thou of Candaules' faith to me? 

Zulesha. No truer man e'er on this earth did live. 
That traitor stirred thy soul to murder foul, 
To claim the throne. 

Zorabella. Exultant then I die. 

To know I 'venged his wrongs ! O Hermogene, 
Thou who hast suffered sadly 'neath my charge, 
Take for my pardon these thy rights again. 
And added to them be the crown ; 't is thine 
And mayst thou nobly rule. Oh, I am faint ! 
What see I there? Candaules? ho! my lord? 
How purer 'bove all else thy graces glow ! 

[Vision of Candaules is seen] 
Oh, be thou sainted for thy martyrdom 
That I did bring on thee ! Oh, there, thou flee'st 
To that dim, faint beyond I soon shall see. 



ZORABELLA 77 

And leav'st the cold dank air to blanket me. 
O spirit, whither bound? Oh, pardon me! 
But nay, alas! alas! — ^Thou'rt gone, gone, gone! 
[Dies] 

Moroz. The queen's at rest. O noble Hermogene, 
Thine is the crown, and may the heavens lend 

grace 
And pleasant reign and lasting benison. 
In Gyges' stead, Zulesha, thou succeed'st, — 
And nobler far wilt thou his office fill. 

Hermogena. Oh, let us to the gods now breathe a 
prayer, 
That with their kindly blessings I may rule. 
Not thoughtless of my dear departed prince. 
Whose life was shorn ere that his time were due. 
Come one, come all, let's join in amity; 
And when befitting burial we have giv'n 
To each sad corse, let us establish straight 
Our Lydian realm upon full, firmer ground 
And right the wrongs that did her honor wound. 

Curtain 



